Two parents in Gorham are fighting back against the school district's cupcake ban.

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According to Jamie Douglass, the mother of two students at Great Falls Elementary School, the school banned sharing food earlier in the year, including cupcakes and has since spread to banning all sugary foods and drinks.

Douglass and another parent, Melissa Spicer, have spoken out at a meeting about putting a stop to the ban.

She said her children eat healthily and aren't even interested in cake or frosting, but its more of the principle of the ban.

She said they like feeling special on their birthdays by getting to share snacks. The school has encouraged parents to bring non-food items, like pencils for the students.

Douglass wants the matter to be put to a vote. She said many parents feel it should be a choice and up to the teacher's discretion, but they are afraid to speak out on the matter.

Ted Sharp, Gorham's superintendent, said the idea behind the ban was to get kids to eat healthier, not to stifle any celebrations.

He said they do still celebrate children's birthdays, just not with sugary foods.

Sharp said the majority of parents stand behind the decision because the end goal is to teach the students about eating healthier.

The superintendent said they started at a young age because its when the lesson can be taught with the most impact.

"We live in a state with some of the highest child obesity numbers and it's our job to do something about it. This has been the procedure since the school opened and a majority of the parents think it's the best thing we've ever done," said Sharp.

Sharp also said the district is jumping on this decision later than many schools in the state who've had a "no sweets" rule for several years.